I leave the parking lot after posting a few Stories of Crystal at work, tagging her.
When I get home, I heat my dinner in the microwave and dive straight into homework. I have a report due tonight that I’ve been procrastinating on.
The next few days keep me busy. I have classes, assignments due, and looming deadlines. Some I need to post and tag, some I need to invoice, and some I need to sign contracts for. I have a brand interested in me managing their social media.
By Friday, I am tempted to look at the hockey game I know Dylan’s currently playing, but do I really want to go down that route? Friendship without glorifying each other has been goodso far. I don’t want to get it in my head that he’s a hot jock. Right now, he’s just Dylan Etta to me, and I like it.
On Saturday, I’m on the treadmill when I see Marina walk into the gym.
“Hey,” she says.
“Marina,” I smile.
“Did you watch the game last night?” she asks, lighting up.
I shake my head. “No, but you did?”
She nods, but I put my hand up. “Don’t tell me if they won or lost. I have a bet going, and I need to be surprised when I hear that they lost.”
She nods with a smile. “How is he?” she asks.
I smile. “What do you mean?”
Two girls walk into the gym as she asks, “Is he everything like the rumors say?”
The two girls spot Marina and walk over, but before they can hear us, I mutter, “I’m not hooking up with him.”“What?” Marina laughs. “You expect me to believe that?”
“Hey, Marina,” one of the girls says. The other one is staring at me.
“This is Cecily. And this is Rose and Madeline.”
“Hi, girls,” I smile.
Rose says, “This is her?”
Marina nudges her with her elbow and says, “Sorry, I told them you are a personal trainer, and we thought maybe you could train us. All of us.”
Shit. I watch as Madeline blushes. I turn off the treadmill and say, “I’m so sorry, Marina. I’m not taking clients.”
She shrugs. “We can schedule things around to join in on the days you train Dylan.”
Rose nods. “Yeah, I could do that.”
Madeline adds, “Me too.”
“Oh,” I say. “Sorry, I can’t do that.”“Why not?” Marina asks, deflating.
“Because he’s my client, and I can’t just do that. I can’t simply say yes without talking to him.”
“So, talk to him. I don’t think he would mind.”
I offer a polite smile and clasp my hands. “I am staying firm on no. He’s an athlete, so his time is precious. Adding in another person, let alone three, isn’t what he and I agreed on. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
“Not even outside of… Dylan?”
I shake my head. “Sorry, I have a lot of work, but I know someone with a great program that I can refer to you.”
They shake their heads, and Marina says, “I don’t want to buy an influencer’s PDF.”I say, “I can get it to all three of you for free, and it’s my secret to glutes.”
